Fourth DCA Case: What is Jury Concealment?

Have you received an unfavorable jury verdict that you think is unreasonable  in West Palm Beach probate court? Did you know that you may be able to motion the court to interview the jury? Do you know whatjury concealment is? Take a look at a case filed today May 20, 2015 in the Fourth District Court of Appeal.

Jury Interviews

• According to Rule 1.431(h) of the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure “[a] party who believes that grounds for legal challenge to a verdict exist may move for an order permitting an interview of a juror or jurors to determine whether the verdict is subject to a challenge.”
• Do you know what that means?
• Basically in certain circumstances you may be entitled to question the jury.
• Do you know when?
• Trial courts a very hesitant to grant motions for post trial juror interviews but where there are reasonable grounds to believe concealment of a material fact has taken place, a party is entitled to conduct a jury interview.”
• Do you know what juror concealment is?

Barrios v. Locastro: Appeal for Juror Concealment

• When you choose your West Palm Beach jury you will be given a change to ask them questions in a process called voire dire.
• Can you think of what kind of questions you are going to ask?
• Is a juror involved in a similar lawsuit?
• Does a juror have distaste for will contests after a debacle in her mother’s estate?
• Do you think that will prejudice them?
• In the recent case of Barrios v. Locastro a juror had concealed that she was involved in a slip and fall case while acting a juror in just such a case.
• The court reversed the jury verdict and found the concealment was reversible error, do you agree?

Want to learn more? Check out the entire case by clicking here.